Tuesday
Oct212008
Rabbi Lawrence Kushner
Tuesday, October 21, 2008 at 11:52PM 
Lawrence Kushner, Rabbi and Author and all around very wise man.
(photo credit: Victoria Cain)
Tuesday, October 21, 2008 at 11:52PM Lawrence Kushner, Rabbi and Author and all around very wise man.
(photo credit: Victoria Cain)
Tuesday
Oct212008
Before the Music Dies
Tuesday, October 21, 2008 at 11:51PM 
Next Broadcast on the Independent Film Channel: Sunday, Feb. 3 at 12:00 PM EST
Andrew's first film was the successful and critically acclaimed IFC Film, Before the Music Dies which was narrated by Forrest Whitaker and featured Eric Clapton, Bonnie Raitt, Elvis Costello, Les Paul, Erykah Badu, Dave Matthews, and Hubert Sumlin, to name just a few. B4MD premiered at the SXSW Film Festival in Austin in March of 2006 and has since been touring the country with over 300 grassroots screenings prior to becoming an IFC film in 2008.
B4MD Synopsis
Never have so few companies controlled so much of the music played on the radio and for sale at retail stores. At the same time, there are more bands and more ways to discover their music than ever. Music seems to have split in two - the homogeneous corporate product that is spoon fed to consumers and the diverse independent music that finds devoted fans online and at clubs across the country.
Before the Music Dies tells the story of American music at this precarious moment. Filmmaker Andrew Shapter traveled the country, hoping to understand why mainstream music seems so packaged and repetitive, and whether corporations really had the power to silence musical innovation. The answers he found on this journey–ultimately, the promise that the future holds–are what makes Before the Music Dies both riveting and exhilarating.
At the heart of Before the Music Dies are interviews with musicians, industry insiders, music critics, and fans that reveal how music has reached this moment of truth. Featured performances from a truly diverse group of artists, ranging from The Dave Matthews Band and Erykah Badu to Seattle street performers and Mississippi gospel singers show us that great music is always out there… as long as you know where to look. Before the Music Dies will renew your passion for great music, and inspire you to play an active part in its future.
To view the trailer, buy the DVD or get a digital download, click here.
To visit the MySpace B4MD profile, click here.
Tuesday
Oct212008
Happiness Is Recommended Websites
Tuesday, October 21, 2008 at 11:45PM
Insightful and inspiring websites that you may enjoy checking out.
To visit the The Happiness Project website, click here.
To visit Matthew Dowd's Political News blog, click here.
To visit the Mobile Loaves and Fishes website, click here.
If you'd like to suggest a website we should check out for potential inclusion on this list, just post a comment here or send us an e-mail at info@happinessisthemovie.com.
To visit the The Happiness Project website, click here.
To visit Matthew Dowd's Political News blog, click here.
To visit the Mobile Loaves and Fishes website, click here.
If you'd like to suggest a website we should check out for potential inclusion on this list, just post a comment here or send us an e-mail at info@happinessisthemovie.com.
Tuesday
Oct212008
Happiness Is Teammembers
Tuesday, October 21, 2008 at 11:16PM
The Happiness Is team brings a 3rd coast point of view to filmmaking. Informed by time spent on both the east and west coasts, they are proud to be part of the Austin film scene which brings a unique flavor and perspective to the screen.
Andrew Shapter, Director/Writer
When 12 year old Andrew got his first camera, his creative life truly began to unfold. 15 years as a fashion and music photographer honed his creative eye and led him ultimately to expand his vision into motion pictures. His first film was the critically acclaimed fan favorite, Before The Music Dies, which is an unsettling and inspiring look at the American music industry. For his second film, Andrew turned his unique reality-based narrative style to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Uplifting cinematography and an insightful narrative have been the foundation of Andrew's work and, happily, will continue to light up the screen for years to come.
Tracy Marino, Producer
A native New Yorker, Tracy moved from Manhattan to Austin, TX in 2000. For many years, Tracy’s livelihood has focused on marketing, branding and strategy both nationally and internationally. Yet Tracy has always had a passion for working with artists to bring inspiring stories to life. Tracy focused that enthusiasm on bringing Andrew's unique vision to the screen through managing the production and the efforts of a strong team. She has also authored blogs as a way to explore some of the themes of the film through audience participation.
Jim Bruno, Executive Producer
Jim Bruno's dreams span all forms of digital narrative and technologies used to tell human stories, including the 2001 miniDV feature, "beyond words!," a new musical film in pre-production, "Maria" and simple self-produced singer-songwriter youtube clips such as "handle w/care" or "time2change." Jim's favorite mantras from Happiness Is include: "It's your ego, stupid... get it out of the way" (Rabbi Lawrence Kushner) and Jim's own synthesis of what he learned while working on HI: "Oh! That's what this is... Reset!" Jim is working on living these new mantras, most often on a daily if not hourly basis!
Michael Lehrter, Executive Producer
Sjon Ueckert, Editor
Christina Fernandez, Associate Producer
At home both in front of and behind the camera, Christina honed her industry chops in both Austin and L.A. She holds a Master of Arts in Radio-Television-Film from the University of Texas at Austin in Production, Screenwriting, and Critical Studies. She worked for two years in television production at Paramount Pictures for Fauci Productions, and did script consulting at Writers Boot Camp in Santa Monica. She co-produced the short film "Mockingbird" and was Production Coordinator for the short film "On the Couch". As an actress she’s appeared as the lead role in the television pilot “Poodle Dog Lounge” and the indie biopic “Last Call for Tacos”.
Andrew Shapter, Director/Writer
When 12 year old Andrew got his first camera, his creative life truly began to unfold. 15 years as a fashion and music photographer honed his creative eye and led him ultimately to expand his vision into motion pictures. His first film was the critically acclaimed fan favorite, Before The Music Dies, which is an unsettling and inspiring look at the American music industry. For his second film, Andrew turned his unique reality-based narrative style to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Uplifting cinematography and an insightful narrative have been the foundation of Andrew's work and, happily, will continue to light up the screen for years to come.
Tracy Marino, Producer
A native New Yorker, Tracy moved from Manhattan to Austin, TX in 2000. For many years, Tracy’s livelihood has focused on marketing, branding and strategy both nationally and internationally. Yet Tracy has always had a passion for working with artists to bring inspiring stories to life. Tracy focused that enthusiasm on bringing Andrew's unique vision to the screen through managing the production and the efforts of a strong team. She has also authored blogs as a way to explore some of the themes of the film through audience participation.
Jim Bruno, Executive Producer
Jim Bruno's dreams span all forms of digital narrative and technologies used to tell human stories, including the 2001 miniDV feature, "beyond words!," a new musical film in pre-production, "Maria" and simple self-produced singer-songwriter youtube clips such as "handle w/care" or "time2change." Jim's favorite mantras from Happiness Is include: "It's your ego, stupid... get it out of the way" (Rabbi Lawrence Kushner) and Jim's own synthesis of what he learned while working on HI: "Oh! That's what this is... Reset!" Jim is working on living these new mantras, most often on a daily if not hourly basis!
Michael Lehrter, Executive Producer
Sjon Ueckert, Editor
Christina Fernandez, Associate Producer
At home both in front of and behind the camera, Christina honed her industry chops in both Austin and L.A. She holds a Master of Arts in Radio-Television-Film from the University of Texas at Austin in Production, Screenwriting, and Critical Studies. She worked for two years in television production at Paramount Pictures for Fauci Productions, and did script consulting at Writers Boot Camp in Santa Monica. She co-produced the short film "Mockingbird" and was Production Coordinator for the short film "On the Couch". As an actress she’s appeared as the lead role in the television pilot “Poodle Dog Lounge” and the indie biopic “Last Call for Tacos”.
Tuesday
Oct212008
Photos from the field…
Tuesday, October 21, 2008 at 11:08PM
Happy, Texas
(photo credit: Andrew Shapter)
Willie Interview
Andrew interviewing Willie on the bus.
(photo credit: Tracy Marino)
See Saw
We can learn a lot from kids about happiness. Near the Mississippi River, Arkansas.
(photo credit: Andrew Shapter)
Route 66
Route 66, the coolest road in America
(photo credit: Victoria Cain)
Pillars of Character
Pillars of Character. Roswell, New Mexico
(photo credit: Victoria Cain)
Coney Island
Coney Island. Brooklyn, New York.
(photo credit: Andrew Shapter)
Yosemite
Yosemite National Park
(photo credit: Victoria Cain)
SF Street
A moment in time on a San Francisco street.
(photo credit: Victoria Cain)
(photo credit: Andrew Shapter)
Willie Interview
Andrew interviewing Willie on the bus.
(photo credit: Tracy Marino)
See Saw
We can learn a lot from kids about happiness. Near the Mississippi River, Arkansas.
(photo credit: Andrew Shapter)
Route 66
Route 66, the coolest road in America
(photo credit: Victoria Cain)
Pillars of Character
Pillars of Character. Roswell, New Mexico
(photo credit: Victoria Cain)
Coney Island
Coney Island. Brooklyn, New York.
(photo credit: Andrew Shapter)
Yosemite
Yosemite National Park
(photo credit: Victoria Cain)
SF Street
A moment in time on a San Francisco street.
(photo credit: Victoria Cain)